title: Using cognitive task analysis to develop simulation-based training for medical tasks.
abstract: Pressures to increase the efficacy and effectiveness of medical training are causing the Department of Defense to investigate the use of simulation technologies. This article describes a comprehensive cognitive task analysis technique that can be used to simultaneously generate training requirements, performance metrics, scenario requirements, and simulator/simulation requirements for medical tasks. On the basis of a variety of existing techniques, we developed a scenario-based approach that asks experts to perform the targeted task multiple times, with each pass probing a different dimension of the training development process. In contrast to many cognitive task analysis approaches, we argue that our technique can be highly cost effective because it is designed to accomplish multiple goals. The technique was pilot tested with expert instructors from a large military medical training command. These instructors were employed to generate requirements for two selected combat casualty care tasks-cricothyroidotomy and hemorrhage control. Results indicated that the technique is feasible to use and generates usable data to inform simulation-based training system design.
authors.affiliation: USF Health, Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDC 46, Tampa, FL 33612.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cannon-Bowers
authors.forename: Clint
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bowers
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stout
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hildabrand
mesh_terms: D058109:Airway Management; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000193:education*; D012985:Software Design; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis